A 52-year-old man, intoxicated with 2.5 per mille blood alcohol content, was apprehended by police after brandishing knives during a Corpus Christi field altar procession in Sosnowiec on Thursday morning.
Incident at the Field Altar
Local police were alerted to the situation around 10:00 a.m. on Ordonówny Street. During the Corpus Christi ceremony, a 52-year-old resident of Sosnowiec began shouting loudly while holding knives in his hands.
Officers providing security for the event immediately subdued and arrested the man. Authorities confirmed that the suspect was in a state of severe intoxication, registering approximately 2.5 per mille of alcohol in his exhaled air.
Official Response and Investigation
No participants were physically injured during the incident. Dominika Bem, spokesperson for the Diocese of Sosnowiec, expressed gratitude to the police for their swift action and thanked the faithful for maintaining composure and responsibility during a difficult experience.
The circumstances of the incident are under investigation, though formal processing has been delayed due to the suspect’s current state of intoxication. The Diocese released a statement emphasizing that places of worship should remain safe, expressing concern that disturbance occurred during a time intended for peace and prayer.
Context of the Observance
The incident occurred as Catholics across Poland celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, a tradition dating back to the 14th century. The day typically involves processions through city streets to four altars, where segments of the four Gospels are read.
